The secret of praise

Praise is prayer through which we marvel at the wonders of God and in which we sing out our joy. It is one of the most wonderful expressions of love from creatures to their Creator.

A personal need

Some people tend to exaggerate when they admire something. Even more so when it comes to God ! To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to praise Him. We could even claim that it is one of our commandments. So says Paul the Apostle : “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thes. 5 :16-18) This requirement to praise is derived from the first commandment : “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10 :27)

But we also praise because it is our vocation. Praise echoes without interruption between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in an ever-sounding concert in which we will participate for eternity in Heaven. So, why not learn how to praise while we are in this world ? “Our happiness in eternity will consist in praising God. Nobody can pretend to this future glory without any practice in the present. So, let's start praising God today” (St Augustine, Commentary on Psalm 148)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of praise. He inspired the Psalms, these marvelous songs of praise. He inspires Mary in her Magnificat, fuels the exaltation of Jesus (Luke 10, 21) and inspires the thanksgiving of the Apostles on Pentecost. No wonder praise became such a powerful component of the Charismatic Renewal ; praise is the work of the Spirit who wants to build a “people of praise” to glorify the Father.

How to give thanks ?

By way of song, we can better free up our hearts, and, simultaneously, under the action of the Spirit, we can deepen our praise. In this way, the Spirit also plays a crucial role in a prayer group ; He is the special means chosen by God to lead us in praise. Why not involve our whole body in our praise ; “raise your hands to Him and bless your God...” ?

Spontaneous prayer

It is a whisper that spreads throughout the prayer assembly, each individual blessing God quietly, in complete freedom. At first surprised by the sight of “everyone speaking at the same time”, we are soon touched by the extent, the power and the unity which is realized in this collective praise.

Fruits

The first fruit is an increase in fraternal charity. Praise, while expressing our love of God, also strengthens our fraternal bonds. Praise forms a communion of the same admiration.

Praise also brings out numerous charisms by invoking the Holy Spirit. As a testimony of our open hearts, of our love and our availability, praise asks God to come among us. As such, praise is the best preparation to exercise charisms.

Praise also evangelizes. On the morning of Pentecost, praise caught the attention of the crowd gathered around the Cenacle. “We heard them all praise the wonders of God in our own language” (Acts 2). Many prayer groups have experienced this ; praise attracts and touches hearts.

Moreover, praise frees us up and heals us : “... but I will heal them and lead them ; I will give full comfort to them and to those who mourn for them” (Is 57 :18). There is a mysterious bond between praise and healing. Witness Paul and Silas giving thanks in prison at midnight (Ac 16 :25-28) : all the prisoners’ chains were broken. Their praise not only freed all. As a group prayer, praise invites God's healing power... even among those who only listen !

A grace of choice

Praise can thus be seen as special grace God bestows upon us. By welcoming this grace into our prayer groups, we also welcome it in our daily and personal life. Thus, while on earth, we prepare ourselves in faith for the eternal heart to heart, perfect fruit of our promised salvation, to the praise of His glory.

By Father Dominique de Chanterac

He Is Alive ! #191 February 2003.